Cardinal Dolan Asks Candidates to Sign Civility in America Pledge

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, has written to the Democratic and Republican nominees for President and Vice-President, and asked them to sign the Civility in America pledge developed by the Knights of Columbus.

The pledge calls on candidates, commentators, and the media to focus on the critical issues facing our nation and to avoid making personal attacks.

In his letters, the Cardinal noted the results of a recent poll that found that 78\% of Americans are frustrated with the tone in politics today, and that 66\% believe that candidates spend more time attacking their opponents than addressing the issues. He wrote, “That this perception exists cannot be healthy for our country or our democratic political process. Civility in America is giving voice to the desire of Americans of all backgrounds and political parties for more civil discourse during this election season.”

The full text of the Cardinal’s letter to President Obama, Vice President Biden, Governor Romney, and Congressman Ryan follows.

Dear :

At this month’s convention of the Knights of Columbus, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson introduced a new initiative, Civility in America. A recent poll showed that 78 percent of the American people are frustrated with the tone in politics today, and that 66 percent believe that candidates spend more time attacking their opponents than discussing the issues. That this perception exists cannot be healthy for our country or our democratic political process. Civility in America is giving voice to the desire of Americans of all backgrounds and political parties for more civil discourse during this election season.

I am writing to you, and to the other candidates for President and Vice President of this great nation, to ask for your support of this effort, so that the upcoming campaign will remain focused on the critical issues facing our nation, and not on personal attacks. The petition designed by the Knights of Columbus is a simple one. It reads:

We, the undersigned citizens of the United States of America, respectfully request that candidates, the media and other advocates and commentators involved in the public policy arena employ a more civil tone in public discourse on political and social issues, focusing on policies rather than on individual personalities.

For our part, we pledge to make these principles our own.

Might I respectfully ask that you sign this pledge. I would be most happy to be able to convey to Carl Anderson and to the 1.8 million members of the Knights of Columbus, that you have chosen to support this valuable effort.

With gratitude for your consideration, and prayerful best wishes, I am